The balloon flower is very suitable for planting on a balcony. Choose the variety and color of the Chinese bellflower to suit the location and sunlight, then you will enjoy the extraordinary and extremely decorative plant for a long time.
How do I properly care for a balloon flower on the balcony?
To successfully care for a balloon flower on the balcony, you should choose a low-growing variety, use permeable and nutrient-rich potting soil, water and fertilize regularly, and protect it from frost in winter. A location in full sun is ideal for blue balloon flowers.
What should you keep in mind?
For a small balcony, choose a low-growing variety. Use relatively deep balcony boxes or plant pots, because the balloon flower has quite long taproots. The soil should be nutrient-rich and permeable. If necessary, add some sand and compost to your potting soil.
Blue varieties of the balloon flower retain their color best on a very sunny balcony. Pink and white varieties, on the other hand, love partial shade. If they get too much sun, their flowers will change color, but you might like the new color.
Care for the balloon flower on the balcony
Balloon flowers are very thirsty. A lack of water on a balcony is of course more noticeable than in the garden bed. Therefore, water your plants regularly, possibly several times a day during the flowering period in summer. You can also treat your balloon flower to a small dose of liquid fertilizer twice a month during this time.
Overwintering the balloon flower as a potted plant
Although the balloon flower is winter hardy, it is not sufficiently protected from frost as a container plant. In contrast to a flower bed, frost can penetrate a bucket or balcony box from all sides, including from below. In this case, the balloon flower therefore needs good protection from all sides. Wrap an old blanket, bubble wrap, or other insulating material around your planters.
Also protect the balloon flower from cold wind. Overwintering in a cold greenhouse or an unheated winter garden is ideal. As long as the ground is not frozen, you should also water the Chinese bellflower moderately so that it does not die of thirst. This danger is often overlooked.
The best tips for balloon flowers on the balcony:
- water regularly
- fertilize regularly
- around April to August
- protect from frost in winter
Tip
Blue balloon flowers best retain their beautiful color on a balcony in full sun.
